Apparatus and method for implanting optical fibers in fabric panels and the like

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for implanting one or more optical fibers in a panel having a uniform planar surface is comprised of a frame for supporting a fiber inserter above a fiber insertion table above a bath containing ultra-violet light activated liquid adhesive for adhering the optical fiber to the panel and a source of ultra-violet light, the fiber inserter carries the optical fiber downward to the fiber insertion table piercing the interposed panel at a desired point of insertion and carrying the optical fiber to the underside of the panel through an opening in the fiber insertion table for immersion into and removal from the liquid adhesive in the bath and subsequent irradiation by ultra-violet light, exposure to the ultra-violet light causing a change of state of the adhesive from liquid to solid resulting in the permanent adherence of the optical fiber to the panel at the point of insertion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/581,442, filed Dec. 29, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,753.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Optical fibers have been recently utilized for reliable transmission ofband-width controlled lightwaves for transmitting telecommunicationsignals over long distances without significant loss or decay of theoriginal signal. Other uses for optical fibers, primarily as anoff-shoot of the basic telecommunications usages, were for the purposesof aesthetic displays of colored light. However, organized displays ofcolored light produced through the transmission of such light throughoptical fibers in a patterned array are extremely rare and not commonlyaccepted or used for display purposes to promote the sale of goods orservices, or for entertaining illustrations.

Virtually non-existent are such displays which are capable of impartingorganized motion to the display so that the illuminated optical fiberillustration creates the illusion of continuing, sequential motionacross one or more display panels. Each display panel supplies asemi-rigid base or planar surface for supporting the fiber optic displayin the desired patterned array so that the ends of each optical fiber,arranged individually or in organized bundles, create the pre-determinedand desired illuminated effect of the fiber optic display.

However, the single or bundled optical fibers must be implanted by handinto the displays and as yet there is no machine available to do therequired operation effectively. The reliable implanting of single orbundled optical fibers in a panel of material, either through manual orautomatic manipulation of an inserting apparatus, to accomplish themanufacture of sequential motion illustrations is now required.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for the implanting of a plurality of optical fibers in apre-determined pattern in a fabric panel or panel of similar materialhaving a substantially uniform planar surface for creating andilluminating a sequential motion pattern. It is also an object of thepresent invention to provide an apparatus for the implanting of aplurality of optical fibers in the fabric panel either manually orautomatically and to combine individual optical fibers in orderedbundles as desired.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manualsighting device for positioning the insertion tool to implant theoptical fibers at a pre-determined position in the fabric panel. It isanother object of the present invention to provide an automated controlfor positioning the insertion tool to implant the optical fibers at oneor more pre-determined positions in the panel.

It is yet still another object of the present invention to secure theoptical fiber, once inserted through the panel, to the surface of thepanel by means of applying an adhesive to the outer surfaces of theoptical fiber, drawing the fiber against the surface of the panel, andcuring the adhesive by exposure to ultraviolet light to affix theoptical fiber in the pre-determined position at the surface of thefabric panel.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus is described for implanting one or more optical fibers in apanel having a uniform planar surface. The apparatus is comprised of aframe means for supporting a fiber insertion means above a fiberinsertion table above a means for adhering the optical fiber to thepanel. The means for adhering the optical fiber to the panel includes abath containing ultra-violet light activated liquid adhesive and asource of ultra-violet light. The panel is interposed between the fiberinsertion means and the fiber insertion table. The fiber insertion meansincludes a means for feeding optical fiber to an implant head meanswhich carries the optical fiber downward to the fiber insertion table.The implant head means pierces the panel at a desired point of insertioncarrying the optical fiber to the underside of the panel through anopening in the insertion table for immersion into and removal from theliquid adhesive in the bath and subsequent irradiation by ultra-violetlight from the source of ultra-violet light. The exposure toultra-violet light causes a change of state of the adhesive from liquidto solid resulting in the permanent adherence of the optical fiber tothe panel at the point of insertion.

The implant head means of the fiber insertion means also includes afiber gripping means carried within the implant head for gripping andreleasing said optical fiber and an insertion tool having a centralhollow through which the optical fiber passes. The insertion tool has abeveled distal end to facilitate piercing and insertion of the opticalfiber into the panel. The means for feeding optical fiber is comprisedof a fiber feed motor for playing out and taking up optical fibercontained on a fiber feed reel.

The bath portion of the means for adhering the optical fiber to thepanel also includes an upwardly facing frusto-conical portion having acentrally disposed opening coaxially aligned with the implant head meansof the fiber insertion means for receiving the tip of the optical fiberfor immersion in the liquid adhesive contained therein. The bath alsoincludes a means for recirculating the liquid adhesive from a reservoirinto and upwardly through a chamber to exit through the upwardly facingfrusto-conical portion to provide a constant level of liquid adhesive inthe centrally disposed opening for immersion of the optical fiber to adepth measured from the tip along the optical fiber a pre-determineddistance. The depth to which the optical fiber is immersed in saidliquid adhesive ranges between 1/8 to 3/8 inches.

The means for adhering the optical fiber to the panel also includes ashutter means for shielding the ultra-violet light activated liquidadhesive in the bath from exposure to the source of ultra-violet lightto prevent causing a change of state of the adhesive from liquid tosolid. The source of ultra-violet light is activated to cause the changeof state of the adhesive from liquid to solid with a nominal exposure inthe range of 5 to 15 μsecs. and a light intensity in the range of 7,500to 15,000 milliwatts. The source of ultra-violet light is positionedbelow the fiber insertion table with the emanating beam of ultra-violetlight focused upward at the tip of the optical fiber extending throughto the underside of the panel and into the opening in the fiberinsertion table. The irradiation of the tip of the optical fibersubsequent to immersion in the liquid adhesive by ultra-violet lightfrom the source of ultra-violet light causing a change of state of saidadhesive from liquid to solid results in the formation of a bead ofsolid adhesive at the tip of the optical fiber extending onto the panelat the point of insertion, the bead being substantially transparent tolight.

The fiber insertion means also includes a means for illuminating thepoint of insertion of the optical fiber into the panel to align thepanel and the point of insertion with the implant head means. The meansfor illuminating the point of insertion is positioned above the fiberinsertion table and aligned to illuminate a point directly beneath theimplant head means.

The frame means of the optical fiber insertion apparatus is moveable ina horizontal plane to align the fiber insertion means directly over thepoint of insertion in the panel, the panel being supported in a carrierand remaining stationary. Alternatively, the carrier supporting thepanel is moveable in a horizontal plane to align the fiber insertionmeans directly over the point of insertion in the panel, the frame meansof the optical fiber insertion apparatus remaining stationary.

The method for implanting one or more optical fibers in a panel having auniform planar surface is comprised of the steps of providing a framemeans for supporting a fiber insertion means above a fiber insertiontable, interposing a panel between the fiber insertion means and thefiber insertion table, positioning a means for adhering the opticalfiber to said panel below the fiber insertion table, the means foradhering including a bath containing ultra-violet light activated liquidadhesive, a shutter means and a source of ultra-violet light, feedingoptical fiber to the fiber insertion means which carries said opticalfiber to the fiber insertion table, piercing the panel at a desiredpoint of insertion and carrying the optical fiber to the underside ofthe panel through an opening in the insertion table for immersion intothe liquid adhesive in the bath, removing the optical fiber fromimmersion in the bath of liquid adhesive and carrying the optical fiberto the underside of the panel so that only the tip of the optical fiberextends through the panel, closing the shutter means and irradiating thetip of the optical fiber with ultra-violet light from the source ofultra-violet light, exposure to the ultra-violet light causing a changeof state of the adhesive from liquid to solid resulting in the formationof a bead of solid adhesive at the tip of the optical fiber andextending onto the panel permanently adhering the optical fiber to thepanel at the point of insertion.

The method is further comprised of the step of illuminating the point ofinsertion of the optical fiber into the panel to align the panel and thepoint of insertion with the fiber insertion means. The method also iscomprised of the step of moving the frame means in a horizontal plane toalign the fiber insertion means directly over the point of insertion ofthe optical fiber into the panel, the panel being supported in a carrierand remaining stationary. Alternatively, the method may include the stepof supporting the panel in a carrier and moving the carrier in ahorizontal plane to align the fiber insertion means directly over thepoint of insertion of the optical fiber into the panel with the framemeans remaining stationary.

A description of the method for implanting one or more optical fibers ina panel having a uniform planar surface with greater particularityincludes the steps of providing a frame means for supporting a fiberinsertion means above a fiber insertion table, interposing a panelbetween the fiber insertion means and the fiber insertion table,positioning a means for adhering the optical fiber to the panel belowthe fiber insertion table, the means for adhering including a bathcontaining ultra-violet light activated liquid adhesive, a shutter meansand a source of ultra-violet light, feeding a first measured length ofoptical fiber to the fiber insertion means which grips and carries theoptical fiber to a position immediately above the fiber insertion table,piercing the panel at a desired point of insertion and carrying theoptical fiber to the underside of the panel through an opening in theinsertion table, feeding a second measured length of optical fiberthrough the fiber insertion means and immersing the tip of the opticalfiber into the liquid adhesive in said bath, removing the optical fiberfrom immersion in the bath of the liquid adhesive and carrying theoptical fiber to the underside of the panel so that only the tip of theoptical fiber extends through the panel, closing the shutter means overthe bath of the liquid adhesive to prevent solidification from exposureto ultra-violet light, irradiating the tip of the optical fiberextending through the panel with ultra-violet light from the source ofultra-violet light, exposure to the ultra-violet light causing a changeof state of the adhesive from liquid to solid resulting in the formationof a bead of solid adhesive at the tip of the optical fiber andextending onto the panel permanently adhering the optical fiber to thepanel at the point of insertion, releasing the optical fiber now adheredto the panel and retracting the fiber insertion means, and severing theoptical fiber at a point immediate the tip of the retracted fiberinsertion means resulting in a desired length of optical fiber adheredto the panel at the point of insertion.

The method is further comprised of the step of illuminating the point ofinsertion of the optical fiber into the panel to align the panel and thepoint of insertion with the fiber insertion means. The method is alsocomprised of the step of moving the frame means in a horizontal plane toalign the fiber insertion means directly over the point of insertion ofthe optical fiber into the panel, the panel being supported in a carrierand remaining stationary. Alternatively, the method includes the step ofsupporting the panel in a carrier and moving the carrier in a horizontalplane to align the fiber insertion means directly over the point ofinsertion of the optical fiber into the panel with the frame meansremaining stationary.

The described method, in the steps of feeding first and second lengthsof the optical fiber, also includes controlling a fiber feed motor forplaying out and taking up optical fiber contained on a fiber feed reel.In the step of immersing the tip of the optical fiber into the liquidadhesive in the bath, the method includes coaxially aligning a centrallydisposed opening in the bath with the fiber insertion means forreceiving the tip of the optical fiber and providing the centrallydisposed opening with a constant level of liquid adhesive for immersionof the optical fiber to a depth measured from the tip along the opticalfiber a pre-determined distance. The method also includes, in the stepof irradiating the tip of said optical fiber, exposing the tip of theoptical fiber after immersion in the liquid adhesive in the range of 5to 15 μsecs. and a light intensity in the range of 7,500 to 15,000milliwatts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood,however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the optical fiber insertion apparatus ofthe present invention with the insertion head in the raised position.

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the optical fiber insertion apparatus ofthe present invention with the insertion head in the lowered positionagainst the fabric panel supporting platform.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the optical fiber insertion apparatus of thepresent invention with the insertion head lowered against the supportingplatform showing an illuminated aiming device for positioning theinsertion tool at a pre-determined mapped location on the fabric panel.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the insertion head and insertion tableshowing an optical fiber extending downward through the insertion tooltoward a partially broken away front view of a reservoir of liquidadhesive, a shutter means, and an ultra-violet curing lamp for attachingthe optical fiber to a fabric panel.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along Line 5--5 of FIG. 3 whichexemplifies the X-Y planar motion, which may be manually orautomatically controlled, to the optical fiber insertion apparatus ofthe present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a computer assisted controller forautomatically positioning the insertion head and insertion table of theoptical fiber insertion apparatus in a plurality of pre-determinedpositions for inserting and adhering optical fibers to the fabric panelin a pre-determined patterned array.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of an optical fiber affixed to a fabric panelshowing the adhesive joining the optical fiber to the panel afterexposure to the ultra-violet curing lamp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplatedmode of carrying out the invention. The description is not intended in alimiting sense, and is made solely for the purpose of illustrating thegeneral principles of the invention. The various features and advantagesof the present invention may be more readily understood with referenceto the following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, where like numerals refer tolike parts or elements, there is shown an optical fiber implantingapparatus 10. The optical fiber implanting apparatus 10 is comprised ofa bearing block and head mount assembly 12, an implant head 14, a fiberinsertion table 16, a table support 18, a base 20 and a frame 22. Theframe 22 supports a vertically extending guide arm 24 which arm supportsthe bearing block and head assembly 12 and the fiber reel 26 and fiberfeed motor 28. The guide arm 24 extends vertically upward from the base20 and frame 22 supporting the bearing block and head mount assembly 12at a fixed distance above the fiber insertion table 16. At the uppermostextent of the guide arm 24, the fiber feed reel 26 and fiber feed motor28 are mounted so that the optical fiber 30 can be played out from thereel 26 through a fiber feed system 32 including feed and take-uppulleys 34, 36 which provide sufficient tension to play out and holdtaut the fiber 30 between the fiber feed reel 26 and the bearing blockand head mount assembly 12 upon appropriate command from manual orautomatic controls.

Extending downward from the bearing block and head mount assembly 12 areparallel motion control arms 38, 40, which may also be referred to aselongated cylindrical bearing shafts, for supporting the implant head 14and controlling the positioning of the implant head 14 as it extendsdownward from the head mount assembly 12. The fiber 30 is maintained inposition within the implant head 14 by a fiber gripping cam 42 which iseccentric in shape and rotated into and out of contact with the fiber 30within the implant head 14 in an operational manner known in the art toclamp or retain an object in a desired position. Also contained withinthe head mount assembly 12 is a knife or cutting head 44 which is usedto sever the optical fiber 30 as explained more fully below.

When manual operation of the optical fiber implant apparatus 10 isutilized, a handle 46 is used to move the implant head 14 up and downthrough the bearing block and head mount assembly 12 on the control arms38, 40. Associated with the handle 46, is a trigger 48 which controlsthe knife 44 and the gripping cam 42 as will be described more fullybelow.

Contained within the frame 22 is a head positioning means 50 whichincludes a source of illumination (not shown) which creates a focusedlight beam 52 which illuminates a pre-marked position on the fabricpanel 54 by creating a shaped illumination point which correlates withthe point of insertion of the implant head 14 through the fabric panel54 at the pre-marked point.

The operation of the fiber implanting apparatus 10 from its restposition, as shown in FIG. 1, is for the fiber gripping cam 42 to beengaged by depression of the trigger 48 in handle 46 of the implant head14. The depression of the trigger 48 actuates the knife or cutting head44 and severs, by cutting away, excess optical fiber 30 beyond apre-measured length of said fiber extending beyond the insertion tool 56of the implant head 14.

The insertion tool 56 is a needle-like rigid tool with a hollowed-outcentral core for the fiber 30 to pass through and a sharpened (beveled)distal end to penetrate the panel 54 contained within a carrier or frame55.

The sequenced action of the fiber implanting apparatus 10, once thegripping and cutting of the optical fiber 30 is completed, is to feedadditional optical fiber 30 from the feed reel 26 through the fiber feedsystem 32 which length of fiber permits the implant 14 to be moveddownward through the head mount assembly 12 in vertical alignment aspermitted by the control arms 38, 40 until the insertion tool 56 comesinto contact with the fabric panel 54. The pre-measured length of theoptical fiber 30 which is permitted to be unwound from the feed reel 26by the feed motor 28 permits the implant head 14 to travel downward onthe control arms 38, 40 the exact length which is desired for use of theoptical fiber to illuminate a patterned array when the insertion andadhesion to the material of panel 54 is completed.

For manual operation, the handle 46 is utilized to push the insertiontool 56 through the fabric panel 54 at the point indicated by the lightbeam 52 of the head positioning means 50. The fiber gripping cam 42 isdisengaged permitting the feed motor 28 to play out an additional orsecond measured length of optical fiber 30 from the feed reel 26 beforethe gripping cam 42 re-engages so that the second measured length ofoptical fiber 30 extends downward from the insertion tool 56 which haspenetrated the fabric panel 54. The insertion tool 56 and optical fiber30 extend downward through an opening 58 in the table 16 as shown inFIG. 4. The implant head 14, in this position, physically contacts thematerial of panel 54 to retain the panel in position during thefollowing actions.

Once the insertion tool 56 and optical fiber 30 are extended through thefabric panel 54 the pre-measured distance, the optical fiber 30 comesinto contact with and its tip is immersed in a liquid adhesive bath 60.The bath 60 includes a reservoir 62 for containing the liquid adhesive64 which is used to affix the optical fiber 30 to the downward facingside of the fabric panel 54 in a manner to be explained.

The optical fiber 30 is inserted into a frusto-conical portion of acentrally positioned fountain-like extension 66 of the reservoir 62having an opening 68 axially aligned with the insertion tool 56. Theliquid adhesive 64 cascades upward, outward and down the external sidesof the extension 66 and continues in this motion by means of anauger-like shaft 70 having helical vanes 72 powered by a motive force(not shown) which causes the rotation of the shaft 70. As shaft 70rotates the liquid adhesive 64 is recirculated throughout the reservoirby causing the liquid adhesive 64 to exit the axially aligned opening 68at the top of the extension 66, cascade down the outer sides of theextension 66 and into the reservoir 62 continuing through a series ofapertures 74 where the helical vanes 72 of the shaft 70 cause theadhesive liquid to rise within the extension 66 and again exit theopening 68. In this manner the liquid adhesive continues to bemaintained at a constant liquid depth within the opening 68 so the tipof the optical fiber 30 can be immersed into the liquid adhesive 64 to apre-determined depth in the range of 1/8 to 3/8 inches.

Liquid adhesive 64 is presently preferred to be an acrylic resin whichhardens (changes state from liquid to solid) upon exposure toultra-violet light. One such optical adhesive is manufactured by NorlandProducts of New Brunswick, N.J. and may be identified as NOA 1060(70).Nominal exposure for hardening is approximately 10 μsecs. with a lightintensity in the range of 12,000 milliwatts. Other optical adhesiveshaving the properties described above can be used with light exposuretimes within the range of 5 to 15 μsecs. and light intensities in therange of 7,500 to 15,000 milliwatts.

Once the tip of the optical fiber 30 is immersed in the liquid adhesive64 for a sufficient time so that the tip and a pre-determined length ofthe fiber 30 are coated with the adhesive 64, the fiber 30 is extractedvertically a third measured distance so that its bottom-most end (thetip) extends to a point just below the underside of the fabric panel 54.At this point in the insertion process, a shutter 76 (which may be arotating panel or constricting "eye") is interposed between thereservoir 62 and the area to be irradiated, the bottom-most end (thetip) of the fiber 30. The shutter 76 may be mounted to the support 18 bymounting arm 77. The shutter 76 blocks both direct and reflected lightfrom entering the reservoir 60 from a source of ultra-violet light 78.The ultra-violet lamp 78 is held in an appropriate upward angledposition ranging between 45° and 60° to the path of travel of theinsertion tool 56 by clamp 82 to reduce direct or reflective spill ofthe ultraviolet light into the reservoir 62.

The ultra-violet lamp 78 is angled upwards towards the conical opening58 in the bottom of the insertion table 16 in which the bottom-most endof the optical fiber 30, covered with the adhesive liquid 64, ispositioned against the underside of the material of panel 54. Theexposure of the adhesive liquid 64 to the ultra-violet illumination(beam 80) substantially and instantaneously cures the adhesive liquid 64coating the fiber 30 turning the liquid into a solid and fixedlysecuring the optical fiber 30 to the fabric panel 54 at the insertionpoint.

With reference to FIG. 7, the retracted optical fiber 30 is shownaffixed to the fabric panel 54 by the cured adhesive 64. The adhesive 64remains against the outer surface of the fiber 30 and is wiped partiallyaway from the immersed surface of the fiber 30 and towards the tip asthe fiber is pulled upward through the panel 54. As the fiber 30 ispulled through the panel 54 the adhesive 64 forms an attached bead 65along the underside of the fabric panel 54 adjacent the tip of fiber 30.The bead 65 of adhesive 64 is formed in a generally hemispherical shapeand exhibits a substantial transparency to all wavelengths of light.

Returning to an explanation of the sequenced action of the fiberinsertion apparatus 10, the material of panel 54 is released as theimplant head 14 is raised to its rest point after the gripping cam 42 isalso released permitting the optical fiber 30, which is now attached tothe panel 54 by adhesive 64, to extend downward from the implant head 14and insertion tool 56 a fourth measured length, the length being thedistance to the insertion table 16 from the position of the knife 44 inthe head mount assembly 12. When fully extended, the fiber 30 will becut by the knife 44 at the distal end of the insertion tool 56 as theimplant head 14 returns to its rest position. The now free optical fiber30 can be gathered into a bundle or be kept segregated as may be desiredto complete the connection to one or more sources of illumination forthe desired display of the completed patterned array on the fabricpanel.

It is desirable to be able to move in both X and Y directions in asingle plane in order to position the implant head 14 over thepre-determined and marked insertion point in the panel 54. Thus, asshown in FIG. 5, base 20 and frame 22 are indicated as having thecapability of moving in an X direction (forward over the fabric panel54) or in the Y direction (laterally parallel to the nearest edge of thefabric panel 54) in order for the insertion tool 56 to directly overliethe desired insertion point as marked on the panel 54. Such motion canbe accomplished manually by grasping the frame 22 and handle 46 toposition the implant head 14 in the desired position indicated by thelight beam 52 of the positioning means 50 so that the implant head 14(as well as insertion tool 56) directly overlies the insertion point forthe optical fiber 30 in the fabric panel 54 within carrier 55 whichremains stationary, although the insertion table 16 moves with the frame22. Alternatively, it is possible to move the fabric panel 54 withincarrier 55 over top of the insertion table 16 in a similar X-Y plane,again utilizing the light beam 52 to properly position the implant head14 over the desired insertion point.

The just described manual positioning of the base 20 and frame 22 or thefabric panel 54 in carrier 55 may be utilized with a controller 84 whichcontrols the sequence of operation of the optical fiber implantapparatus 10 using bi-directional data and signal lines as shown in FIG.6. The controller 84 provides signal and data information foroperational sequence to the optical fiber implant apparatus 10 overcommunication lines 88, 90. Communication line 88 may be utilized tocontrol the operations within the upper segment of the optical fiberimplant apparatus 10 by controlling operations within the bearing blockand head mount assembly 12 and in the fiber feed system 32.Communication line 90 may be utilized to provide control of the sequenceof operations of the elements below the fiber insertion table 16, thereservoir 62, shutter 76 and ultra-violet lamp 78.

Of course, overall operational control remains within the controller 84to properly sequence all of the actions of the optical fiber implantapparatus 10. Each of the communication lines 88, 90 are bi-directionaland, as such, will accept status signals from operational elements ofthe implant apparatus 10 so that the controller 84 can effectivelyascertain the instantaneous status of each operation of each element,and the sequence of such operation, as the operations actually occur.Further, communication lines 88, 90 can transmit data for operatingindividual elements of the implant apparatus 10.

If it is desired to have fully automatic operation, in the sense ofprogram control of the optical fiber implant apparatus 10, additionalcommunication lines may be utilized to control the X-Y directionalmotion of the base 20 and frame 22 by communication line 92, or the X-Ydirectional motion of the carrier 55 by the communication line 94. As inthe case of the other communication lines 88, 90, communication lines92, 94 are bi-directional and provide control signals for motion fromthe controller 84 to the optical fiber implant apparatus and receivesignals indicating to the controller 84 the exact response by themovable elements of the implant apparatus 10 as well as transmit datafor specific operations to be accomplished.

In the fully automatic operation, the controller 84 may be a specialpurpose computer having appropriate application software program controlfor sequentially operating the optical fiber implant apparatus 10. Thecontroller 84 is capable of providing commands to the X-Y motion control86 which is translated into linear distances for moving either the base20 and frame 22 or the carrier 55 by any appropriate means, such asstepper motors or hydraulic or pneumatic pistons which have extendablearms for controlling the lateral motion of the base 20 and frame 22 orthe carrier 55. Appropriate sensors (not shown) can be utilized tomonitor the X and Y directional movement for aligning the implant head14 at the illuminated insertion point on the panel 54. Commands forsimilar X-Y directional motion can also be imparted directly to thecarrier 55 in like fashion using a similar X-Y motion controller as thatmotion controller 86. Thus, the optical fiber implant apparatus 10 issusceptible to either manual, semi-automatic or fully automaticoperation.

The sequential operation of the optical fiber implant apparatus 10,whether manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic, can be described asfollows. The implant apparatus 10 has an optical fiber 30 fed from thefiber feed reel 26 through the fiber feed system 32 and into the implanthead 14. The fiber 30 is fed through the central hollow of the insertiontool 56 so that it extends just slightly beyond the tip of the insertiontool 56. This initial threading of the implant apparatus 10 is concludedby the activation of the fiber gripping cam 42 which clamps the fiber 30in position for the knife 44 to cut off any excess fiber 30 beyond thetip of the insertion tool 56. The operational sequence of steps is asfollows.

With the optical fiber 30 clamped in position within the implant head 14by the fiber gripping cam 42, the implant head 14 is permitted to beginits downward motion by either releasing a brake (not shown) on themotion control arms 38, 40 or commanding the fiber feed motor 28 to playout a first measured length of optical fiber 30 from the fiber feed reel26 through the fiber feed system 32. This first measured length ofoptical fiber 30 permits the implant head 14 to move downward on themotion control arms 38, 40 through the bearing block and head mountassembly 12 so that the insertion tool 56 is positioned directly abovethe pre-determined and marked point of insertion, as indicated by thelight beam 52 from the head positioning means 50 located within theframe 22.

If the implant apparatus is being manually controlled, either the panel54 in carrier 55 or the frame 22 (along with base 20 and insertion table16) can be moved in the desired X-Y directions to align the lightbeam 52with the insertion point markings on the material of panel 54. If thepanel 54 is to be moved to position marked insertion points below theinsertion tool 56 of the implant head 14, the carrier 55 upon which thepanel 54 rests may be moved in an X-Y direction and the insertionapparatus 10 would remain stationary. If the base 20 and frame 22 are tobe moved, which will, in turn, cause the identical movement of thevertical guide arm 24 and all elements mounted to it including thebearing block and head assembly 12 and the insertion table 16 and bath60 to retain the alignment of these elements, then the panel 54 andcarrier 55 remain stationary.

Once properly positioned with the marked insertion point directlyunderlying the insertion tool 56 of the implant head 14, insertionthrough the material of the panel 54 is accomplished by manually pushingthe insertion tool 56 through the material of the panel 54 utilizing thehandle 46 so that the beveled tip of the implant head 14 contacts andpenetrates the material of panel 54. The insertion tool 56 havingpenetrated the material of panel 54 at the marked insertion point nowextends through the insertion table 16 and through the conical opening58.

When this sequence of operations is completed, a command is given to thefiber feed motor 28 to play out a second measured length of opticalfiber 30, this length substantially being the distance between the tipof the insertion tool 56 and the liquid adhesive bath 60 so that the tipof the optical fiber 30 can be immersed a pre-measured distance into theopening 68 at the top of the fountain-like extension 66 of the bath 60.The gripping can 42 is moved out of contact with the fiber 30 to permitthe measured length to play out through the insertion tool 56. The tipof the optical fiber 30 extends out of the tip of the insertion tool 56and into the recirculated liquid adhesive 64 of the bath 60. The tip ofthe fiber 30 is immersed in the liquid adhesive 64 a sufficient time forthe adhesive 64 to coat the exterior of the tip of the fiber 30, as wellas a short distance along the fiber 30 approximately 0.25 to 0.375inches.

When the measured time period has elapsed, and if the implant apparatusis being manually operated, the insertion tool is withdrawn from thematerial of the panel 54 a third measured distance (without release ofthe gripping can 42) so that the tip of the optical fiber 30 coated withthe liquid adhesive 64 remains extending through the material of thepanel 54, physically positioned just below the underside of the materialand within the conical opening 58. The shutter 76, which was previouslyopen to accommodate passage of the tip of the optical fiber 30, is nowclosed tightly over the liquid adhesive bath 60 and the ultraviolet lamp78 is energized creating the ultraviolet lightbeam 80 which impingesupon the liquid adhesive 64 coating the tip of the optical fiber 30.Exposure of the liquid adhesive 64 adhered to the tip and adjacent outersurface of the fiber 30 causes a change of state of the adhesive 64 fromliquid to solid permanently affixing the tip of the optical fiber 30 tothe material of panel 54 at the point of insertion. The ultravioletlightbeam illuminates the tip and adjacent outer surfaces of the opticalfiber 30 for a pre-determined time period and then is turned off aftercausing the change in state of the adhesive 64.

In the event that either semi-automatic or fully automatic operation isdesired, in order to achieve the pre-determined upward movement of theimplant head 14, and the insertion tool 56 and optical fiber 30 so thatthe tip of the optical fiber 30 is just below the underside of thematerial of panel 54, the fiber feed motor 28 can be energized toreverse its direction and take up the third measured length of opticalfiber 30 onto the fiber feed reel 26 to achieve the desired position ofthe tip of the optical fiber 30 (coated with liquid adhesive 64) justbelow the material of panel 54. In this manner, the implant head 14 canbe moved simultaneously with any feed or take-up of the optical fiber 30from the fiber feed reel 26 by operation of the fiber feed motor 28,with the fiber feed system 32 taking up any possible slack in the fiber30.

Alternatively, the motion of the implant head 14 can be accomplished byproviding toothed gearing within the bearing block 12 so that thecooperation of a stepper motor and the toothed gear engaging acooperating series of teeth on each of the control arms 38, 40 willpermit an upward or downward motion of the implant head 14 correspondingto the step commands provided to a stepper motor (not shown) controllingthe gears. In this manner, the implant head 14 can be raised a shortdistance in a similar fashion to reversing the fiber feed system 32 totake up a pre-measured length of optical fiber to lift the implant head14 the desired distance to disengage the penetration of the insertiontool 56 and position the tip of optical fiber 30 at the desired positionagainst the underside of the material of panel 54 as described above.

The fiber gripping cam 42 is released and the implant head 14 is raisedon the control arms 38, 40 to resume its rest position in the bearingblock and head mount assembly 12. Once the implant head 14 returns toits rest position, the knife 44 is energized to cut the implantedoptical fiber 30 at the beveled tip of the insertion tool 56 permittingthe implanted optical fiber 30 to be gathered together with otherimplanted fibers to be organized into groups or bundles to beilluminated and provide the patterned array exhibiting sequenced motionacross the panel 54.

It is not contemplated by the described apparatus and method ofoperation of the apparatus to include steps sufficient for assembly linemanipulation of the apparatus. The foregoing description is sufficientonly for implanting optical fibers in a marked, pre-determined,patterned array to be later utilized for sequenced motion in one or moreframes across the display panel. Thus, the apparatus and method ofoperation of the optical fiber implant apparatus 10 of the presentinvention, in describing the manual, semi-automatic and automaticimplanting of optical fibers in a display frame 54, is in accordancewith the description of the apparatus and the operational steps setforth above.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and,accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in allrespects as being illustrative and not restrictive, with the appendedclaims, rather than the foregoing detailed description, as indicatingthe scope of the invention as well as all modifications which may fallwithin a range of equivalency which is also intended to be embracedtherein.

We claim:
 1. A method for implanting one or more optical fibers in apanel having a uniform planar surface comprising the steps of:providinga frame means for supporting a fiber insertion means above a fiberinsertion table; interposing a panel between said fiber insertion meansand said fiber insertion table; positioning a means for adhering saidoptical fiber to said panel below said fiber insertion table, said meansfor adhering including a bath containing ultra-violet light activatedliquid adhesive, a shutter means and a source of ultra-violet light;feeding optical fiber to said fiber insertion means which carries saidoptical fiber to said fiber insertion table; piercing said panel at adesired point of insertion and carrying said optical fiber to theunderside of said panel through an opening in said insertion table forimmersion into said liquid adhesive in said bath; removing said opticalfiber from immersion in said bath of said liquid adhesive and carryingsaid optical fiber to the underside of said panel so that only the tipof said optical fiber extends through said panel; closing said shuttermeans and irradiating the tip of said optical fiber with ultra-violetlight from said source of ultra-violet light, exposure to saidultra-violet light causing a change of state of said adhesive fromliquid to solid resulting in the formation of a bead of solid adhesiveat the tip of said optical fiber and extending onto said panelpermanently adhering said optical fiber to said panel at the point ofinsertion.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step ofilluminating the point of insertion of said optical fiber into saidpanel to align said panel and said point of insertion with said fiberinsertion means.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step ofmoving said frame means in a horizontal plane to align said fiberinsertion means directly over said point of insertion of said opticalfiber into said panel, said panel being supported in a carrier andremaining stationary.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising thestep of supporting said panel in a carrier and moving said carrier in ahorizontal plane to align said fiber insertion means directly over saidpoint of insertion of said optical fiber into said panel, said framemeans remaining stationary.
 5. A method for implanting one or moreoptical fibers in a panel having a uniform planar surface comprising thesteps of:providing a frame means for supporting a fiber insertion meansabove a fiber insertion table; interposing a panel between said fiberinsertion means and said fiber insertion table; positioning a means foradhering said optical fiber to said panel below said fiber insertiontable, said means for adhering including a bath containing ultra-violetlight activated liquid adhesive, a shutter means and a source ofultra-violet light; feeding a first measured length of optical fiber tosaid fiber insertion means which grips and carries said optical fiber toa position immediately above said fiber insertion table; piercing saidpanel at a desired point of insertion and carrying said optical fiber tothe underside of said panel through an opening in said insertion table;feeding a second measured length of optical fiber through said fiberinsertion means and immersing the tip of said optical fiber into saidliquid adhesive in said bath; removing said optical fiber from immersionin said bath of said liquid adhesive and carrying said optical fiber tothe underside of said panel so that only the tip of said optical fiberextends through said panel; closing said shutter means over said bath ofsaid liquid adhesive to prevent solidification from exposure toultra-violet light; irradiating the tip of said optical fiber extendingthrough said panel with ultra-violet light from said source ofultra-violet light, exposure to said ultra-violet light causing a changeof state of said adhesive from liquid to solid resulting in theformation of a bead of solid adhesive at the tip of said optical fiberand extending onto said panel permanently adhering said optical fiber tosaid panel at the point of insertion; releasing said optical fiber nowadhered to said panel and retracting said fiber insertion means;severing said optical fiber at a point immediate the tip of theretracted fiber insertion means resulting in a desired length of opticalfiber adhered to said panel at the point of insertion.
 6. The method ofclaim 5 further comprising the step of illuminating the point ofinsertion of said optical fiber into said panel to align said panel andsaid point of insertion with said fiber insertion means.
 7. The methodof claim 5 further comprising the step of moving said frame means in ahorizontal plane to align said fiber insertion means directly over saidpoint of insertion of said optical fiber into said panel, said panelbeing supported in a carrier and remaining stationary.
 8. The method ofclaim 5 further comprising the step of supporting said panel in acarrier and moving said carrier in a horizontal plane to align saidfiber insertion means directly over said point of insertion of saidoptical fiber into said panel, said frame means remaining stationary. 9.The method of claim 5 wherein the steps of feeding first and secondlengths of said optical fiber include controlling a fiber feed motor forplaying out and taking up optical fiber contained on a fiber feed reel.10. The method of claim 5 wherein said step of immersing the tip of saidoptical fiber into said liquid adhesive in said bath further includescoaxially aligning a centrally disposed opening in said bath with saidfiber insertion means for receiving the tip of said optical fiber. 11.The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of providing saidcentrally disposed opening with a constant level of liquid adhesive forimmersion of said optical fiber to a depth measured from the tip alongthe optical fiber a pre-determined distance.
 12. The method of claim 5wherein said step of irradiating the tip of said optical fiber includesexposing the tip of said optical fiber after immersion in said liquidadhesive in the